Radio power supply device



April 8, 1930. r P. E. EDELMAN 1,753,920

RADIO POWER SUPPLY DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1927 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHILIP E. EDELMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EPHRAIM IBANNING, OI?

CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS RADIO POWER SUPPLY DEVICE Application filed January 26, 1927. Serial No. 163,734.

An object of the present invention is to improve the operation of a radio power supply device, reduce its bulk and weight as well as cost, provide a unit quite in operation free from hum noise and undesired heating which can be shipped ready for use requiring no filling of liquids nor attaching of bulbs nor re-filling service.

A further object is to provide a rectifying element therefor which is a. dry solid type.

A further object is to provide a capacity element therefor which is efficient, of small bulk and dry solid type.

Other objects will presently appear and What I claim as new is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. I am describing a preferred form of the invention, various forms and modifications of which may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Radio vacuum tubes requiring direct current for the operation thereof have heretofore been operated either by batteries, combinations of trickle chargers and batteries, wet cells supplied with rectified current thru a choke coil, or combinations requiring special wiring arrangement of the connected radio 1 set. I have sought to provide a unit separate and attachable to any standard radio' set without special arrangement or special wiring thereof which is capable of supplying proper current thereto without requiring any filling or refilling operations by the user and built up entirely of solid materials. A principal difi'iculty heretofore has been the filter element which uses a condenser. When constructed as a dielectric condenser this element has a prohibitive cost. When built as a cell this element has servicing troubles. I provide a new and useful dry solid construction therefor as herein set forth.

I shall now describe a working embodiment of my invention with reference to the accompanying drawing of which Figure 1 is a schematic diagram.

A transformer 1 has connecting means 2 for attachment to an alternating current sup ply socket and feeds a full wave rectifier element 4 thru a carbon pile" resistance 3. Rectifier 4 is comprised by polarized sections 7, 8, 9, 10 respectively whereby positive terminal 5 and negative terminal 6 are supplied with rectified current. While any suitable rectifier sections may be used. solid typeare preferred. Thus each section 7, 8, 9, 10, may comprise as illusa conductor by melting and forming in a thin layer either alone or with other assisting substance. A preferred construction is had by immersing the electrodes 11, 12 closely separated by a fibrous sheet 14 in the molten chemical which is thereafter allowed to cool and crystallize out held by the sheet 14 so as to be firmly attached to the electrodes 11 and 12. This fibrous sheet can be any suitable fabric material, preferably the thin laminated sheet wood fibre material known as cellucotton. This cellucotton has the ncessary absorbing property while permitting free flow of electricity thru the absorbed crystalline chemical. Such a solidified rectifier section as as described has a unidirectional current conducting characteristic probably due to the combined effect of a thin film formed on the electrode l2 and the thermic action in the mass 13, 14. Such elements do not appear to deteriorate with use and are preferably permanently scaled up. If a salt such as sodium nitrate is used for the material 13 it can be rendered conductive at low starting temperature by admixture With a small portion of sodium phosphate or other material which conducts at room temperature and thereafter rapidly becomes conductive due to the passage of electric current thru its small layer mass in the thin layer 14.

- Terminals 5, 6 are connected to a filter 15 shown for example as a single section electrical filter though additional sections may be employed if desired. Filter 15 comprises two polarized condensers 16, 17 interconnected at their respective positive terminals by a choke coil 18. Choke coil 18 has one core yoke 19 spring hinged at 20 so that the magnetic pull on yoke 19 compresses the carbon pile 3. Thereby as the current thru choke coil 18 increases the resistance of carbon pile 3 is decreased and vice versa. If desired relay contacts 27, 28 may also be carried by yoke 19 for switching other connections when a load current passes thru choke coil 18.

Condenser 16 comprises electrodes 21- polarized positive and 22 electrically negative thereto, arranged ina series of layers or as a roll of layers. These electrodes are preferably of a metal such as aluminum though the positive polarized electrode 21 may be of aluminum while the negative one 22 is of a different metal inert to the chemical medium 25, These electrodes are constructed of thin sheet metal with large area closely adjacent to each other and separated by a thin sheet of the chemicalmedium 25. Thus the chemical medium may comprise sodium phosphate or other suitable salt crystallized in solid form and held in a thin layer of cellucotton or other suitable fabric material. The mode of impregnating the absorbent holder 26 is to immerse same in the molten chemical which is allowed to cool and crystallize therein. A container for the electrodes is indicated by numeral 23 so that the electrodes 21, 22 with the chemical 25 exposed thereto may be sealed from the atmosphere by vaseline 24. In lieu of Vaseline any suitable sealing medium such as parafiine or parai'line oil product or other petroleum product or like acting substance may be employed. Such a condenser besides having large capacity has some internal resistance permitting a-slight leakage current, which factor aids in the filtering action. A film appears to form on the positive electrode, making 16 a polarized condenser of relatively high re-' sistance to direct flowing current and sub- 'stantially low resistance to alternating current. Other chemical substances which may be used are any suitable salt containing its own water of crystallization such as ammonium phosphate, or an organic acid such as citric acid, or a salt such as sodium nitrate with which a substance conducting at room temperature has been mixed. Or if desired the element 16 .can employ for active materials the metal lead as electrodes .with 1300 degree sulfuric acid absorbed in the cellucotton 26 as the chemical substance.

Element 17 is similarly constructed but with preferably a larger electrode area and corresponding lower internal resistance accompanied by an increased capacity due to the lower operating potential caused by the resistance drop in voltage due to choke coi' 18.

In operation current is supplied to transformer 1 which feeds rectifier 4 thru resistance 3 under control of the magnetic field of the choke coil 18. The rectifier output 5, 6 feeds element 16 with its combined capacity and resistance at correct polarity to maintain operating characteristic. The current so rectified and partially stabilized passes from element 16 via choke coil 18 to combined capacity and resistance element 17 to complete the smoothing thereof. The filtered direct current can then pass to output terminals 29, 30, 31, of which terminal 31 has a series resistance 32. The values of the parts may be selected for either high voltages suitable for B supply or low voltages suitable for A supply and this arrangement is particularly suited for A supply. For example for A supply the rectifier output at terminals 5, 6 may be 10 volts at 2 amperes. Then choke coil 18 may comprise 600 turns of No. 16 enamelled copper wire wound on core 1 by 2 cross section of laminated silicon steel, the core being E type with movable yoke 19 as set forth. In such case element 16'may have electrodes formed by 27 alternately adjacent sheets of #32 gauge sheet aluminum 6" by 8" area spaced by the fibrous sheet carrier 26 of about 1/40 inch thickness carrying the active material 25 held thereby. Element 17 may have similar construction employing 29 electrode sheets in layers. Or if desired the electrodes may be wound in a rolled semi-spiral layer with the active sheets 25, 26 sandwiched therebetween. It is preferable to maintain the transformer 1 energized during use of the device even when no load is applied at the terminals 29, 30 or 29, 31 as the unit is thereafter immediately available for operating such a load, which may be, for example, 10 parrallel connected filaments of ten radio vacuum tubes or any similar electrical circuit requiring steady flowing direct current for operation. The regulation of resistance 3 is such that very small no-load current is drawn by transformer 1 which lowers the potenial applied to elements 16 and 17 when terminals 29, 30 are not loaded. At full load the voltage drop across coil 18 is offset by the lower resistance of, carbon pile 3 which permits more input voltage at terminals 5, 6 and tends to maintain the output voltage at terminals 29, 30 respectively.-

By this construction I find in service that the elements 16, 17 have inherent therein sufficient heat radiating surface to maintain efficient operation thereof.

Both A and B supply units may be constructed as set forth, in which case relay contacts 27,- 28 may be connected in series with the alternating current input to'the B unit if so desired.

An alternative mode of construction for the element 16 is to first impregnate the carrler sheet 26 with the active material 25, thereafter assemble same with the electrodes 21, 22, and apply heat briefly thereto to insure intimate contact of the mass 25, 26 with the electrodes 21, 22. The natural property of the chemical 25 used, as for example, sodium phosphate, is to'adhere to the surfaces of the electrodes 21 and 22 when application is made in the molten state thereof.

If desired the solid type filter 15 may also be electrically operated by means of any sultable type of rectifier nowon the market.

I claim and these Letters Patent are to be understood when granted as for '1. In apparatus of the kind set forth, an electrical device comprised of adjacent filmrng electrode surfaces exposed to cellucotton 1I1'Wl1lCl1 a conducting salt is absorbed and crystallized. 1

2. In apparatus of the character set forth, aluminum electrodes separated by a thin fabric offibres saturated with sodium phosphate crystallized therein 3. In apparatus of the kind set forth, filming metal electrodes separated by a fibrous sheet containing a conducting chemical in solid crystal form pressing against said electrodes and comprising an element having the property of orienting the current conducting ability of said electrodes and storing up electrical energy supplied thereto, and means to preserve said operating property including an air tight seal therefor.

4. In apparatus of the class set forth, a condenser device comprising filming metal plates separated by a solidified chemical absorbed in a fibrous mass extending in the form of a thin sheet having thermic properties proportioned to maintain the chemical stability of the junction between said chemical and said plates.

5.- In apparatus of the class set forth, a current supply device comprised by a solidified chemical crystal substance absorbed in a fibre fabric and electrically exposed to polarized metal electrodes, the thermic properties of said electrodes and fabric being proportioned to maintain an operating temperature for said crystal at which its chemical composition remains stable.

6. A capacity element consisting of adjacent electrode surfaces exposed to a flexible sheet material in which a conducting chemical is absorbed and crystallized and sealed from the atmosphere.

7. In apparatus of the kind specified, a device comprising electrodes adj acent to flexible sheet material containing a crystallized chemical in solid form.

8. A filter circuit device consisting of a flexible sheet material in which a chemical containing its own water of crystallization is absorbed and crystallized, and metallic elec trodes interleaved with said sheet material to conduct heat away from said chemical when electr c current is applied to said electrodes.

9. A power supply device consisting of polarized metal filming electrodes interleaved with a thin sheet material in which a chemical is absorbed and solidified whereby heat caused by the passage of electrical current thru said sheet material can be dissipated by the thermic action of said metal electrodes.

10. A condenser consisting of sheet metal electrodes sandwiched in closely spaced layers between porous absorbent sheet material in which a chemical is absorbed and crystallized, whereby heat energy transferred to said chemical by. the passage of electricity therethrough is simultaneously dissipated by the thermic influence of said electrodes thereon, preserving the stability of said condenser.

11. In apparatus of the character "set-forth a condenser element comprising a metallic surface contacting with a layer of fibrous material containing a chemical salt crystallized therein having one surface thereof contacting with an aluminum electrode having a film formed thereon at the contacting surface.

12. An electrical condenser consisting of, in combination, filming metallic sheet electrodes,

a thin fibrous spacer sheet extending between and separating said electrodes, and an electric current conducting chemical compound containing a crystalline polarizing electrolyte supported by said spacer sheet and contacting with said electrodes, characterized by the fact that the thickness of said metallic sheet electrodes is proportioned with respect to the thinness of said fibrous spacer sheet to afford a thermal mass for said electrodes greater than the thermal mass of said'con ducting chemical compound supported by said spacer sheet.

13. An electric condenser consisting of filming metallic sheet electrodes, a fibrous spacer sheet extending between and separatin'gsai d. n

electrodes, and an electric current'conducting chemical compound containing a crystalline polarizing electrolyte supported by said spacer sheet and contacting with said electrodes. v

14. In a polarized electrically conductive couple, the combination with electrodes, one of which is composed of a filming metal, of a spacer positioned between the electrodes and composed of a porous fibrous sheet material impregnated with a solidified electrolyte held in suspension therein.

Signed this 21st day of January 1927 at Chicago, Illinois.

. PHILIP E. ,EDELMAN. 

